Linville Falls is a must see if you are on the Blue Ridge and it is close to Grandfather Mountain which we will talk about later.
The Linville Falls Recreation Area offers different trails to view the falls. The upper falls are smaller and flow into a large pool then the water rushes down a 60 foot shat then pours another 40 feet or so down to the main pool. The sound that this thing makes is amazing! There is several options trail wise to choose from. We were short on time so we took the shortest trail which was stupid because as my curiosity compelled me to explore, my wife and I could have saved some time and an argument had we taken a different route.
There is a detailed map at the visitors center but I also will post one as well on the side bar. We took the trail to the Plunge Basin Overlook which is about a half mile in length from the visitors center. As you walk down the trail about .2 miles down the path it will fork. The trail to the right is the way we went and that will take you to a nice observation area where you can take in the lower potion of the falls and the chimneys that surround it. The picture above is a good representation of the view from this location.
There is a detailed map at the visitors center but I also will post one as well on the side bar. We took the trail to the Plunge Basin Overlook which is about a half mile in length from the visitors center. As you walk down the trail about .2 miles down the path it will fork. The trail to the right is the way we went and that will take you to a nice observation area where you can take in the lower potion of the falls and the chimneys that surround it. The picture above is a good representation of the view from this location.
Where I got into trouble...
I was so enamored by the force of the water that flowed through the shaft that I had to get a better look at it. The shaft is only partially enclosed and I had to get a look in this thing. From the observation platform I headed right and up through the woods. This was not a trail other then a little washout and this was also stupid. There are other trails that will give you great angles of the falls without having to bushwhack through the woods.
Anyways, I came to a clearing at the edge of the canyon wall that gave me a great view of the canyon. You can barley make out the observation area I started from in this picture. Its the top most rocky outcropping on the far left.
Anyways, I came to a clearing at the edge of the canyon wall that gave me a great view of the canyon. You can barley make out the observation area I started from in this picture. Its the top most rocky outcropping on the far left.
Over my shoulder and up a bit was a distant view of the upper falls. You can see how placid the top is. If you were to take the Erwin's View Trail you would end up on the rock dead center of this picture able to see the gorge, upper falls and the shaft below that makes a thunderous sound.
Finally, below me is whats causing all the ruckus. After the upper falls, the water is channeled into a 60 foot shaft before it re-emerges into the lower falls and from there then spilling into the pool at the bottom.
Even though I did a bad thing walking through the woods not on a trail, I'd like to think I got a better view!
There is also a trail that will take you to the bottom of the falls down by the pool. I understand that there is some climbing involved using exposed roots and rocks as handholds. We didn't go down there due to time constraints but I hear its pretty cool. Apparently no swimming because there is a pretty strong current as the water moves from the pool down through the canyon.
So how do you get here?
Take Interstate 40 west to towards Asheville and get off on exit 86 for Highway 226 . Head north on Hwy 226. It gets kinda weird up there as 226 and 221 cross and eventually merge however you want to ultimately follow 221 till you get to the Blue Ridge as eventually 226 heads off in another direction. Head north on the Blue Ridge Parkway and you will see the right turn for Linville Falls about a mile down the road.
Have Fun!
